| Higginson and Bigelow, comps. American Sonnets. 1891. | | | | Hepaticas on Palm-Sunday | | By Eliza Allen Starr (1824–1901) |
| | | BRAVE little wilding, herald of the Spring! | |
| First of the beauteous tribes that soon will troop | |
| Singly, in pairs, or in a joyous group, | |
| O’er sunny slope or sheltered bank; or cling, | |
| By their slight fibres, where the blue-bird’s wing | 5 |
| Alone can visit them with graceful swoop! | |
| The wise man pauses on his walk, to stoop | |
| Above your purple blossoms; for you bring | |
| To his worn cheek a pleased and gentle smile; | |
| Still saying softly to himself, the while: | 10 |
| How things most tender are the first to rise | |
| From wintry sleep; thus taking by surprise | |
| The sturdy oaks! Hearts, too, shy without guile, | |
| Wing, often, boldest flight towards pathless skies! | | | | |
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